About the Program
Overview
The Spanish Language Oral Health Outreach Program is a student organization at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) which seeks to provide accurate information regarding the proper preventative techniques for maintaining good oral hygiene to Spanish speaking individuals. Students volunteer from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine to teach patients at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Spanish Clinic about the etiology of caries and periodontal disease and how to brush one’s teeth and floss. Our mission is to remove the language barrier that often exists between a patient and the clinician and provide this crucial information in a comfortable manner to our audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. How do I get involved?
A. Click here to register to become a volunteer.
Q. How much Spanish do I need to know?
A. Spanish speakers from all levels are welcome and encouraged to join in this effort. While a very basic command of the language is necessary to communicate with our audience, you do not need to be fluent. As a rough estimate, three years of high school level Spanish and/or 2 semesters of college level Spanish should suffice. This is an opportunity to not only provide these individuals with important information about oral health, but also to give yourself the opportunity to practice your Spanish.
Q. What will I do when I am at the clinic?
A. Student volunteers hold informal oral health care discussion groups with the patients coming to the Spanish Clinic to see their physicians. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss are distributed. Patients are taught how to brush and floss properly. Patients are then given the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and receive feedback. Patients are taught about the etiology of dental caries and periodontal disease so that they may understand why these preventative techniques are so important. Additionally, the patient’s oral health questions are answered. Upon request, patients are directed to a number of dental facilities which can properly accommodate Spanish speaking individuals for comprehensive evaluation and care.
A. Click here to register to become a volunteer.
Q. How much Spanish do I need to know?
A. Spanish speakers from all levels are welcome and encouraged to join in this effort. While a very basic command of the language is necessary to communicate with our audience, you do not need to be fluent. As a rough estimate, three years of high school level Spanish and/or 2 semesters of college level Spanish should suffice. This is an opportunity to not only provide these individuals with important information about oral health, but also to give yourself the opportunity to practice your Spanish.
Q. What will I do when I am at the clinic?
A. Student volunteers hold informal oral health care discussion groups with the patients coming to the Spanish Clinic to see their physicians. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss are distributed. Patients are taught how to brush and floss properly. Patients are then given the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and receive feedback. Patients are taught about the etiology of dental caries and periodontal disease so that they may understand why these preventative techniques are so important. Additionally, the patient’s oral health questions are answered. Upon request, patients are directed to a number of dental facilities which can properly accommodate Spanish speaking individuals for comprehensive evaluation and care.
The Executive Board
President
Vice President (President-Elect)
Treasurer (Vice President-Elect)
Position open
Past Presidents
Founder
Faculty
Faculty Advisor
Juan Carlos Urizar, MD
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry
Faculty Advisor
Romesh Nalliah, BDS
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Pre-Dental Chapters
click here
Special Thanks To
The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
The Spanish Language Oral Health Outreach Program is thankful to the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship for their mentorship, guidance and support to the leadership of this organization.
The Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program® is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. For more information on this fellowship or to apply please visit http://www.schweitzerfellowship.org/features/us/bos/
The Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program® is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. For more information on this fellowship or to apply please visit http://www.schweitzerfellowship.org/features/us/bos/